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News: the UK government wants to ban drivers from using Google's augmented reality eyewear ahead of the 2014 release, amid safety concerns.

According to a report published by Stuff magazine, the UK's Department for Transport (DfT) is concerned that wearing Google's Glass headset whilst driving would be a dangerous distraction.

The government department responsible for the British transport system told the gadget magazine that it has taken pre-emptive steps to ban drivers from using the device.

"We are aware of the impending rollout of Google Glass and are in discussion with the Police to ensure that individuals do not use this technology while driving," a DfT spokesperson told the magazine.

Should the law be approved, drivers caught using the glasses - which allow users to send and receive messages, take pictures and search the web hands-free - could incur a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points on their driver's license, the same as for using a mobile phone.

"It is important that drivers give their full attention to the road when they are behind the wheel," the Department of Transport spokesperson said. "A range of offences and penalties already exist to tackle those drivers who do not pay proper attention to the road including careless driving, which will become a fixed penalty offence later this year."

The UK government banned drivers from using hand-held mobile phones in 2003, and has convicted millions of people since it was introduced.

Comments

I think this is a great idea. Google Glass is worse for drivers than cellphones, as it is right in their face.

Chris

And I hope more countries follow suit. This is the easy part; now they have to find other situations to ban this bastardised form of technology from other areas of our lives.

Malenky

So constantly looking over and messing with a GPS that rarely stays suction-cupped to the windshield is fine, but having a voice activated GPS that displays an little arrow in the corner of your eye while you are looking forward at the road is where the government draws the line?

David

I was hoping the government had gone as far as to ban google glass altogether.

If people are worried about Google (Facebook and Verizon among others) giving over our personal information to governments who monitor our every move, then what about a device which can collect; What you look at, and for how long, and at what time of the day, where you saw it, with whom, whether you acted on this...

Personally, I think it's scary beyond belief that we would give this information to irresponsible companies who sell it off to governments and advertisers. Oh, we are willing to do it for a company who pay no corporation tax in the UK. I love you Google.

djnn24

Why not just have the function to say 'Okay Google, I'm driving now'. Then users could still use it to make hands free calls while being in a driving mode

Jacqui

Driving while Googling should result in a three-month ban, not just points on their licence. I'd ban people from walking down the street in them. People with headphones can't even look where they're going; these will be even more annoying! One more piece of tech to cut us all off from each other and our surroundings.